My boy is getting old :(

Bossdog

Bossdog

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Haven't posted on here for a long time but feel the need to talk to some dog people! My GSD Boss had his 11th birthday a couple of weeks ago and he has aged so much recently that it's really getting me down. He was struggling to get up and down from his bed so took him to the vet last week and they said he has spondylosis and the beginnings of CDRM so he is now on metacam... on his walk today I noticed that he was dripping urine so popped into the vet to see what they recommended and he continued to drip all over their floor, completely oblivous. Checked his bedding and it does have a damp patch. I know it could be all sorts of things, his dam was diabetic, perhaps a urine infection, the CDRM (although I believe incontinence is rare?) or just old age? Have to get a sample from him to take in with me for our appointent tonight but I am so so scared that it is going to be naything other than a UTI. He's so happy, the metacam has worked wonders for his back, he is loving all the new sunshine and still bounces around when teh lead comes out.... I always said I would PTS when my dogs became incontinent but I never expected him to get old IYSWIM?!

Sorry for the essay, he is my dog of a lifetime and has been through so much with me the last ten years that I just can't imagine life without him :(
 
Fwiw chlo had a really nasty uti after starting metacam.

Cant advise on anything else, others will be more helpful xxxx
 
Aww, thanks, wasn't expecting advice, just want to share with people who actually care, noone in my family is a dog lover, I think they think I'm too sentimental!!
 
My old lab had the same problem but it was cured by Urilin syrup, it worked immediately and it is just a few drops of syrup on her food. She was a bitch but I think there is something similar for dogs, so hopefully your vet can give you something. It is horrible when your dog gets old.:(
 
Buffy is 10 and has spondylosis and cdrm so I feel for you. She is on cartrophen injections rather than metacam, she has remained at the same level for nearly 2 years so it seems to be doing the job. She does leak urine though, I actually think it is quite a common side effect of cdrm in bitches, not so sure about dogs though. She is on urilin which has helped but hasn't totally cured it.
With regard to Boss, if you can keep him comfy with the spondylosis steady exercise will really help the cdrm, brisk walking is the ideal pace.
 
He is a very good age for a GSD. There are things the vet can do for incontinence. Propalin drops seem to work well for a lot of oldies.

It is difficult when they get old, you feel you are living on a knife edge sometimes. They are bit like children, they can get very ill very quickly. They can also bounce back when you least expect it. The rule I try to keep to is to help them keep going until life holds no pleasure for them and they are having more bad days than good days. When that time comes you owe it to them to make their passing easier and have them put to sleep.
 
Thanks everyone :) Just back from the vets, it is incontinence (as opposed to infection), she said his prostate couldn't be palpated so thats good although he did growl at her when she was feeling for it, which he has NEVER done. Anyway, she has given him some Propalin so fingers crossed that will take effect in the next few days. The metacam has taken effect, he got his front paws on the kitchen windowsill while he was outside earlier which he hasn't done for months so his back is obviously a bit more comfortable!!

MM, in a funny way, I'm glad to hear about another gsd with the same problems still having a comfortable time, I'm sure I will know when his time comes... hope Buffy is keeping well... how do you cope when they get old, I have no idea what I will do without him, I can't imagine anotehr dog every coming close to him :(
 
It is really tricky when they get old, my old brown Dobe I rang the vet 3 times to book putting him down. I swear he heard me on the phone and perked up but you are always looking for any signs when yo think they are not enjoying life anymore.

They really tug at your heart strings and mine were more like family than anything.

Fingers crossed the meds do the trick and as long as he is enjoying life just celebrate that and dont worry about the tomorrows.
 
Hope the propalin helps. As you say if he can jump up at the window sill he mustn't be too uncomfy. I had been blaming my younger bitch for a couple of instances of pinching off the kitchen work top, because poor old Buffy couldn't possibly have done it, then surprise surprise something went missing off the top when Evie wasn't even in the kitchen.:p Good stuff that cartrophen.:D
 
Aw, it is sad when they start to slow down, my last three have lived to ten, 14 and 12 - the latter two had CDRM - the 14 year old was relatively fit up until the last few days before she went (we made a very quick judgement when we noticed her mobility starting to be compromised - for reasons I am about to explain) but the 12 year old was kept on a bit too long, but it's done now and we learned from it.

He still sounds perky enough though and I wouldn't blame him for having a grumble at some stranger feeling his bits x
 
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